A frame for steam shovels



Mar ch 1, 1927. 1,619,156

A. E. RUDY A-FRAME FOR STEAM sHdvELs Filed Mafch s. 1926 Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

entree-,1 stares ADDIson n. RUDY, GEMATEWAN, wnsr VIRGINIA.

A FRAME FOR- STEAM SI-IO'VELS.

Application filed, March 8,

This invention relates to new anduseful improvements in digging'machines, and particularly to steam shovel digging machines. The principal object of the invention 1s to provide an A-frame for a machine of this character which willnot easily become loose, and which canbe readily tightened, when ithas become worn to the extent which will permit loose playthereof. I

It has been found, in the use of the ordinary A-frame ofa digging machine of this type, that the ends of the legs of the frame, at the points of connection with the front sill of the'machine, become worn to such an extent as to permit considerable loose movement, and final derangement or breakage of other parts of the machine. It is the par ticular object of the present invention to provide an A-frame having its feet so formed and mounted in the sill, that any wear thereat can be readily and quickly compensated for.

Another object is to provide means for readily taking up the wear of the ends of the legs of the A-frame, where they attach to the mast head cap.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a digging machine equipped with the improved A-frame.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the A-frame.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the connection of the leg of the A-frame with the sill.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the mast head, or cap, and a portion of the leg of the A-frame connected therewith, showing the means for taking up wear.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, through the mast head or cap. I v

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 2, showing the wedge boltsin the sill.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings, 10 represents the front sill of the steam shovel digging machine. Pivotally supported on the front of the sill is the lower end of the boom 11, of the digger, and connected to the upper end of the boom is a made later herein.

1926. Serial no. 93,190.

brace rod 12 to which reference will be On the upper, face oft-he sill, adjacent the ends thereof; are f-ormedthe elevated; portions or bossesg13, and formed. vertically in each boss is a substantially T-sh-aped; recess;

14. Formed transversely"through the boss, and intersecting theventiealleg of the T, are the alined openings 15 and 16, the former of which is rectangular in cross section while the latter is circular. Seated inthe recess is the lower L-shapedi end of the-leg 17, of the A-fraine, the horizontal portion of which lowerend extends: into the vertical leg of the .T, Disposed through the openings 15 and 16 is a bolt 18, a portion of the shank of which is angular in cross section .and longitudinally tapered, said angular portion passing into the angular opening 15, across the foot of the leg 17, and having the circular and threaded end extending through the circular opening 16, where it is provided with a nut 19. By turning this nut, the bolt can be drawn into the openings, whereby to cause the wedge face of the shank thereof, to bear tightly on the foot of the leg 17, with the result that said foot will be held firmly in the recess, and whereby any looseness, due to wear of the foot, or the walls of the recess, will be compensated for. The legs 17, of the A-frame extend upwardly in convergent relation, and the upper end of each leg is provided with a laterally directed portion 20 which is seated in a recess 21 in the lower'face of the mast head or cap 22.

The center of the lower face of this cap is formed with a depending lug 23, disposed between the upper ends of the legs 17, and being of a slightly greater width than said legs whereby to project from opposite sides thereof. The projecting portions of the lug 23 are apertured to aline with openings in the transversely arranged lates 24, disposed against the outer edge faces of the upper ends of the legs, and directly beneath the cap 22, to receive the bolts 25 therethrough. The heads of said bolts bear against the outer face of one plate, while nuts, engaged on the other ends of the bolts, bear against the other plate, to hold the parts firmly in position. Formed transversely in the cap 22, and intersecting the recesses 21, are the openings 26 and 27, the former of which is angular to receive the angular wedge portion of the shank of the bolt 28, and the latter of which is circular to receive the cir cular threaded end of the bolt, a nut being engaged on the said end of the bolt. The wedge portion of the shank bears on the portion 20 of the leg 17 whereby to firmly hold the same within the recess, and to firmly seat the same therein when worn so as to provide loose play in the recess. The upper faceof the cap is provided with a lug 29 with which is engaged the other end of the before-1nentioned race rod 12. On the rear face of the cap are the spaced lugs 30, between which is secured one end of a guy 31.

Thus, when any loose play develops be tween the legs and sill, or between the legs and cap, the nuts are turned to draw the wedge bolts further into the openings, whereby to restore the parts to their former rigidity.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with the sill of a digging machine having recesses in its ends, of an A-frame includin legs having their lower ends seated in said recesses, and transverse wedge members disposed through the sill and operatively engaged with said leg ends whereby to hold said legs and to permit compensation for wear thereof.

2. The combination with the sill of a digging machine having recesses in its ends, of an A-frame including legs having laterally directed lower ends seated in said recesses, and transverse wedge members disposed through the sill and recesses and operatively engaged with said laterally directed leg ends whereby to hold said legs and permit compensation for wear thereof.

3. An A-frame including legs having laterally directed upper ends, a cap having recesses receiving said laterally directed leg ends, and wedge members disposed through the cap and recesses and engaged with the laterally directed leg ends for holding the latter in the recesses and for permitting compensation for wear between the leg ends and cap.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

ADDISON E. RUDY. 

